Not Stuck In Place, Building Roots

Stagnancy induces frustration. It is widely understood that Rome wasn’t built in a day and everything takes time. However, Rome did eventually get built so why does it seem like I may never get my empire. No one actually believes they’ll become an overnight sensation, we silently hope we do though. It gets discouraging when you put in constant effort and nothing changes. I fully understand that success takes a long time but sometimes it feels like I don’t have the resolve to wait that long. Especially when I see people my age or younger who have it much better than I do. It begins to feel like I may not be putting as much effort into things as I should. It always looks like they have it easier, or they got there so quick, and the envy crawls into my gut like a tapeworm. 

It usually goes two ways, either I get motivated to try harder or I become too discouraged to attempt anything else, I’m so glad I went for the former. The thing about growth is that it doesn’t always move in the direction you plan it to. There will always be some setbacks, delays and obstacles that may seem huge but you must push through if you want to get to your goal. Instead of constantly downplaying and doubting your skills, the best thing to do for yourself is have faith. I am never confident about my work, not my drawings, and not even this piece you’re reading but sometimes you just need to put it out there. Rejection is a normal thing and it brings your resolve lower every time but the moment you get your first hint of success, it is forever memorable. Unfortunately for me, a single bad moment has the ability to ruin my whole day, maybe even the week. I’d like to focus more on the little bits of joy instead.

Also, the so-called overnight sensations aren’t always that. When I did more digging I realized that they also put in a lot of effort from an early age, everything does take time. The wait might be the most insufferable thing ever but the result is always worth it. To you it will always seem like you’re stuck in place, but there’s little evidence of progress. It may not be in the people who appreciate your efforts but in your skills. Being consistent may not immediately raise your publicity and popularity, but it will always make you better in what you do. So even when you feel negative about your reach, do it for yourself. If it’s something you truly love then don’t do it for others to see, do it to feel good about yourself. 

When I decided to monetize my little talents, I began to forget just how much I enjoyed doing it for myself. It became solely about perfection and the direction people preferred. I tried to rebrand the things I was passionate about to suit the taste of others, and that was a big mistake. Trying to impress others will never work, the world would never be satisfied with your work and you can never please them all. The number one rule for me when I create something is that I am fully invested in it or it’s something I’m very enthusiastic about. When you start to do something for others it becomes a chore and not about yourself, but I’m veering off course.

As of recently, I’ve come to realize that you will get your moment. It could take a year, maybe three or more but that moment will eventually come. If I give up on my empire no one would build it, the small bits of foundation will eventually crumble and my initial efforts would be for naught. Everyone starts their passion projects by themselves before getting help, so if I have to carry the entire thing on my back by myself I will, and eventually I’ll get some help. Speed is never the quality to go for when I’m working on something, stability is. If I just rush into things without making sure I have everything in place my entire empire would crumble once I finish it. So yes, it will take what may seem like an unbearable amount of time, but it doesn’t matter, because by then I’d have made it.

Written by, Amina Abdulkareem